Someone You Should Know: Dr. Claire C. Grant

Posted on February 19, 2025 in ATSC News

Dr. Claire C. Grant Managing Director, PHARE Media Consultancy Limited – Your Trusted Guide.

Running a consultancy in the media industry involves a structured, multifaceted routine. Dr. Claire Grant takes a disciplined approach to her daily schedule, shaping weekly tasks into manageable chunks for every day.

Her day begins at 6 a.m. with a glass of water to hydrate and a routine of exercise and meditation to center her mind. After breakfast, Dr. Grant updates herself on the latest happenings in Jamaica, the Caribbean, and the world. Connecting with her close-knit family—her two sons, brothers, and her 88-year-old mother—comes next, ensuring she’s grounded before diving into work.

Her workday revolves around a fine balance of preparation and action. Dr. Grant checks her to-do list, ensuring she’s ready for the day’s events and tasks while keeping an eye on upcoming commitments. She is deeply immersed in the pulse of the media industry, using reports and networking to stay informed on the latest developments. Midday is time for prospecting for new business and crafting tailored solutions for her clients. When she needs a mental break, she enjoys unwinding with some sci-fi, currently revisiting Star Trek: Voyager. In the evening, she takes time for skill-building, particularly prepping for the Project Management Professional (PMP) exam, and carving out an hour a day for this goal. Once a week, Dr. Grant also engages in academic work, as she plans for future research and publications.

Dr. Claire Grant’s involvement with ATSC 3.0 stems from her experience as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of a leading media conglomerate in Jamaica. She spearheaded the transition of a local television station from analogue to digital terrestrial transmission, implementing the ATSC 3.0 standard, which led Jamaica to become the third country worldwide to adopt this technology. This pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic presented unique challenges, as the team had to quickly adapt and learn about the new standard without relying heavily on international experts.

Dr Claire Grant, who was then, General Manager, Radio and Television Jamaica watches as Hon Robert Morgan, Minister with responsibility for information in the Office of the Prime Minister, switches on the Jamaica’s first ATSC 3.0 transmitters site in Jamaica on January 31, 2022 making Jamaica the third country in the world to do this switch and the first to move from analogue to ATSC 3.0.

Her participation with ATSC has only deepened, as Dr. Grant is now the Vice Chair of the IT-7 Caribbean Team and a founding member of the Business Advisory Council, having been invited by ATSC President Madeleine Noland last summer.

The dynamic potential of ATSC 3.0 is a key motivator for Dr. Grant. She envisions an iterative cycle of evolution and reinvention, where the standard continuously adapts to the needs of broadcasters and consumers alike. For Dr. Grant, ATSC 3.0 is more than just a technical upgrade—it’s the cornerstone for creating innovative solutions that can address global challenges in communication. As a student of communication innovation, Dr. Grant is inspired by the possibilities ATSC 3.0 unlocks, feeling that it has the potential to democratize communication in ways that fundamentally change how societies operate.

Family plays an essential role in Dr. Grant’s life. She is the proud mother of two sons and is deeply connected to her two older brothers and her mother. Despite living in an urban environment now, Dr. Grant has fond memories of her time in the countryside, where she had dogs and even a horse. She has no pets at the moment but values the freedom pets need to roam and thrive.

Music is a constant companion for Dr. Grant. From movie scores to urban underground sounds, music is the rhythm of her life, offering inspiration and joy every day. She’s also a devoted follower of track and field events, as well as a passionate advocate for young people. Her alma mater, St. Jago High School, is where she mentors students, especially in the game of chess, an area where Dr. Grant has both national and Olympian experience.

Dr. Grant’s reading list spans across multiple disciplines, from media and artificial intelligence to biographies and science. At the moment, she is engrossed in Media Management and Artificial Intelligence by Alex Connock, Six Triple Eight by Mary McCallum, Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, and The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama. She’s also revisiting Born a Crime by Trevor Noah, finding humor in his deeply poignant reflections.

No surprise here: Dr. Grant’s go-to binge-worthy show is Star Trek. While she enjoys all of the Star Trek series, The Next Generation holds a special place in her heart. The exploration of future possibilities, ethics, and technology resonates deeply with her own passion for innovation.

If she weren’t in the media consultancy business, Dr. Grant could see herself thriving in shipping logistics management or law. Both fields would tap into her organizational skills and passion for systems thinking, offering her a different, yet equally exciting, professional journey.

Dr. Claire C. Grant’s journey is an inspiring blend of leadership, innovation, and commitment to her community. Whether she’s pushing the boundaries of ATSC 3.0 technology or mentoring young minds, Dr. Grant’s influence on the media landscape is poised to leave a lasting impact for years to come.

Posted in ATSC News